UV curable transparent conductive compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an ultraviolet light curable transparent conductive composition and method for making such a composition that may be used to produce a transparent conductive coating on a suitable substrate. These coatings may be used in such applications as touch screens, membrane switches, TV screens, and VCRs. The disclosed composition does not contain any significant amount of volatile organic solvents that do not become incorporated in the active layer after curing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationSer. No. PCT/US01/00976, filed Jan. 11, 2001, that designates the UnitedStates of America and was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English,which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/175,971, filed Jan. 13, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to ultraviolet light (UV) curablecompositions capable of producing a transparent conductive coating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

UV radiation curable transparent conductive compositions are applied toa substrate through spraying, screen printing, dipping or brushing, thusforming a transparent conducting film or coating. Transparent conductivecoatings transmit visible light while possessing electricalconductivity. Accordingly such coatings find application in automobiles,airplanes, etc. as electrodes for liquid crystal devices, exothermicresistors, and photosemiconductors.

UV curable conductive films offer advantages over typical heat curablefilms typically produced by chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, andsol-gelling. Heat curable compositions used for example in the sol-gelprocess require the use of organic solvents that contain a significantamount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs escape into theatmosphere while the heat curable composition dries. Such solvent basedsystems are undesirable because of the hazards and expenses associatedwith VOCs. The hazards include water and air pollution and the expensesinclude the cost of complying with strict government regulation onsolvent emission levels. In contrast, UV curable compositions containreactive monomers instead of solvents; thus eliminating the detrimentaleffects of the VOCs.

The use of heat curable compositions not only raises environmentalconcerns but other disadvantages exist with their use as well. Heatcurable compositions suffer from slow cure times which lead to decreasedproductivity. These compositions require high energy for curing due toenergy loss as well as the energy required to heat the substrate.Additionally, many heat curable compositions yield poor film propertiesthat result in decreased value of the end product.

Although UV curable compositions exhibit superior properties andperformance over their heat curable counterparts, UV curablecompositions themselves suffer from certain disadvantages. Generally, UVcompositions have high molecular weights and a substantial degree ofcross linkage due to the highly reactive nature of the composition. As aresult, many of these compositions suffer from low durability and resinshrinkage. With the use of many such compositions, an inordinately highamount of UV light is required to cure. With some compositions,suspended solids fall out of solution after a period of one to two days.This dispersion adversely affects the gloss and clarity of the finishedproduct.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide environmentally safe UVcurable transparent conductive compositions which exhibit improvedappearance and workability. Additionally, there is a need to provide amethod of applying an improved composition which furthers the goal ofimproved performance.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition that upon curing by ultraviolet light produces a transparentconductive coating.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition suitable for use in touch screens, membrane switches, TVscreens, and VCRs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition suitable for coating a suitable substrate that can beapplied by spraying, screen printing, dipping, and brushing.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved composition that does not contain any significant amount ofvolatile organic solvents that do not become incorporated in the activelayer after curing.

The present invention discloses an ultraviolet light curable transparentconductive composition and method for making such a composition that maybe used to produce a transparent conductive coating on a suitablesubstrate. The disclosed composition does not contain any significantamount of volatile organic solvents that do not become incorporated inthe active layer after curing. Specifically, the transparent conductivecomposition contains 5% or less volatile organic solvents by weight.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an ultraviolet lightcurable transparent conductive composition is provided. The transparentconductive composition comprises at least one aliphatic acrylatedoligomer, an electrically conductive powder, and a photoinitiator. Thealiphatic acrylated oligomer is present in an amount of about 10% to 40%of the total weight of the transparent conductive composition, theelectrically conductive powder is present in an amount of about 20% to50% of the transparent conductive composition, and the photoinitiator ispresent in an amount of 2% to 10% of the total weight of the transparentconductive composition. All percentages of the transparent conductivecomposition as expressed in this document refer to the mass percentageof the stated component to the total mass of the transparent conductivecomposition in its fluid state at standard temperature and pressure.

The transparent conductive composition preferably further comprises anacrylated epoxy oligomer in an amount of about 3% to 11%, an isobornylacrylate monomer in an amount of about 10% to 40% of the transparentconductive composition, and a flow promoting agent in an amount of about0.1% to 8% of the transparent conductive composition.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for depositing a transparent conductive coating on a substrate.The method comprises a first step of applying to the substrate atransparent conductive fluid-phase composition (“transparent conductivecomposition”). The transparent conductive composition comprises amixture of one or more aliphatic acrylated oligomers, an electricallyconductive powder, and a photoinitiator. Preferably, the aliphaticacrylated oligomer is present in an amount of about 10% to 40% of thetotal weight of the transparent conductive composition, the electricallyconductive powder is present in an amount of about 20% to 50% of thetotal weight of the transparent conductive composition, and thephotoinitiator is present in an amount of about 2% to 10% of the totalweight of the transparent conductive composition. The transparentconductive composition preferably further comprises an acrylated epoxyoligomer in an amount of about 3% to 11% of the total weight of thetransparent conductive composition, an isobornyl acrylate monomer in anamount of about 10% to 40% of the total weight of the transparentconductive composition, and a flow promoting agent in an amount of about0.1% to 8% of the total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition.

The method also includes a second step of illuminating the transparentconductive composition on the substrate with an ultraviolet light tocause the transparent conductive composition to cure into thetransparent conductive coating.

In accordance with this method, the transparent conductive compositioncan be selectively deposited on the substrate at specific locationswhere transparent conductive plating is desired. It need not be appliedto the entire substrate.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Transparent Conductive Compositions

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred compositionsor embodiments and methods of the invention, which constitute the bestmodes of practicing the invention presently known to the inventor.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a presently preferredultraviolet light curable transparent conductive composition(“transparent conductive composition”) is provided. In this preferredembodiment, the transparent conductive composition includes a mixture ofone or more aliphatic acrylated oligomers. The aliphatic acrylatedoligomer mixture is present in an amount of about 10% to 40% of thetotal weight of the transparent conductive composition. The aliphaticacrylated oligomer mixture is more preferably present in an amount ofabout 20% to 30% of the total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition, and most preferably about 27% of the total weight of thetransparent conductive composition. The aliphatic acrylated oligomerpreferably comprises one or more urethane oligomers. Suitable aliphaticacrylated oligomers include Radcure Ebecryl 244 (aliphatic urethanediacrylate diluted 10% with 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate), Ebecryl 264(aliphatic urethane triacrylate diluted 15% with 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate), Ebecryl 284 (aliphatic urethane diacrylate diluted 12% byweight with 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate) urethanes, commercially availablefrom Radcure UCB Corp. of Smyrna, Ga.; Sartomer CN-961E75 (aliphaticurethane diacrylate blended with 25% ethoxylated trimethylol propanetriacylate), CN-961H81 (aliphatic urethane diacrylate blended with 19%2(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate), CN-963A80 (aliphatic urethanediacrylate blended with 20% tripropylene glycol diacrylate), CN-964(aliphatic urethane diacrylate), CN-966A80 (aliphatic urethanediacrylate blended with 20% tripropylene glycol diacrylate), CN-982A75(aliphatic urethane diacrylate blended with 25% tripropylene glycoldiacrylate) and CN-983 (aliphatic urethane diacrylate), commerciallyavailable from Sartomer Corp. of Exton, Pa.; TAB FAIRAD 8010, 8179,8205, 8210, 8216, 8264, M-E-15, UVU-316, commercially available from TABChemicals of Chicago, Ill.; and Echo Resin ALU-303, commerciallyavailable from Echo Resins of Versaille, Mo.; and Genomer 4652,commercially available from Rahn Radiation Curing of Aurora, Ill. Thepreferred aliphatic acrylated oligomers include Ebecryl 264 and Ebecryl284. Ebecryl 264 is an aliphatic urethane triacrylate of 1200 molecularweight supplied as an 85% solution in hexanediol diacrylate. Ebecryl 284is aliphatic urethane diacrylate of 1200 molecular weight diluted 10%with 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate. Combinations of these materials may alsobe employed herein.

The preferred transparent conductive composition still further includesa conductive powder preferably in an amount of about 20% to 50% of thetotal weight of total weight of the transparent conductive composition.Specifically, the conductive powder is an electrically conductivepowder. The conductive powder is more preferably present in an amount ofabout 30% to 40% of the total weight of total weight of the transparentconductive composition, and most preferably about 33% of the totalweight of total weight of the transparent conductive composition.Preferred conductive powders include metal powders, metal oxide powders,metal nitride powders, or mixtures thereof. Suitable conductive powdersinclude silver powder, tin oxide powder, antimony tin oxide, and indiumtin oxide powder. The preferred conductive powders are the antimony tinoxide powders, Minatec 30 and Minatec 40, commercially available from EMIndustries located in Hawthorne, N.Y.

This preferred transparent conductive composition also includes aphotoinitiator in an amount of about 2% to 10% of the total weight oftotal weight of the transparent conductive composition. Thephotoinitiator is more preferably present in an amount of about 4% to 6%of the total weight of total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition, and most preferably about 5% of the total weight of totalweight of the transparent conductive composition. Suitablephotoinitiators include Irgacure 184 (1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenylketone), Irgacure 907 (2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholinopropan-1-one), Irgacure 369 (2-benzyl-2-N,N-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-1-butanone), Irgacure 500 (thecombination of 50% 1-hydroxy cyclohexyl phenyl ketone and 50%benzophenone), Irgacure 651 (2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one),Irgacure 1700 (the combination of 25%bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl-2,4-,4-trimethyl pentyl) phosphine oxide, and75% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one) DAROCUR 1173(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propane) and DAROCUR 4265 (thecombination of 50% 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenyl-phosphine oxide and50% 2-hydroxy 2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one), available commerciallyfrom Ciba-Geigy Corp., Tarrytown, N.Y.; CYRACURE UVI-6974 (mixed triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate salts) and CYRACURE UVI-6990 (mixedtriaryl sulfonium hexafluorophosphate salts) available commercially fromUnion Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Co. Inc., Danbury, Conn.; andGenocure CQ, Genocure BOK, and Genocure M.F., commercially availablefrom Rahn Radiation Curing. The preferred photoinitiator is Irgacure1700 commercially available from Ciba-Geigy of Tarrytown, N.Y.Combinations of these materials may also be employed herein.

This preferred transparent conductive composition further includes anacrylated epoxy oligomer. The acrylated epoxy oligomer is present in anamount of about 3% to 11% of the total weight of total weight of thetransparent conductive composition. The acrylated epoxy oligomer is morepreferably present in an amount of about 5% to 9% of the total weight oftotal weight of the transparent conductive composition, and mostpreferably about 7% of the total weight of total weight of thetransparent conductive composition. Suitable acrylated epoxy oligomersinclude Radcure Ebecryl 3603 (novolac epoxy acrylate diluted 20% byweight with tripropylene glycol diacrylate), commercially available fromRadcure UCB Corp.; Sartomer CN-120 (difunctional bisphenol based epoxyacrylate) and CN-124 (difunctional bisphenol based epoxy acrylate),commercially available from Sartomer Corp.; and Echo Resin TME 9310 and9345, commercially available from Echo Resins. The preferred acrylatedepoxy oligomer is Ebecryl 3603, which is a tri-functional acrylatedepoxy novolac. Combinations of these materials may also be employedherein.

The photocurable mixture of the lubricating composition preferablyincludes an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having Formula I:

wherein R₁ is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; and R₂ issubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl having more than 4 carbon atoms,cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or substituted or unsubstituted aryl.Preferably R₁ is hydrogen or methyl; and R₂ is isoborynl, phenyl,benzyl, dicylcopentenyl, diclypentenyl oxyethyl, cyclohexyl, andnaphthyl. The most preferred ethyleneically unsaturated monomers areisobornyl acrylate monomers. The isoborynl acrylate monomers arepreferably present in an amount of about 10% to 40% of the total weightof total weight of the transparent conductive composition. The isobornylacrylate monomer is more preferably present in an amount of about 20% to35% of the total weight of total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition, and most preferably about 28% of the total weight of totalweight of the transparent conductive composition. Suitable isobornylacrylate monomers include Sartomer SR-423 (isobornyl methacrylate):

and SR-506 (isobornyl acrylate):

available from Sartomer Corp.; Radcure IBOA (isobornyl acrylate),commercially available from Radcure Corp.; IBOA and IBOMA, commerciallyavailable from CPS Chemical of Bradford, England; and Genomer 1121,commercially available from Rahn Radiation Curing. The preferredisobornyl acrylate monomer is Radcure IBOA, commercially available fromRadcure Corp. Radcure IBOA is a high purity, low color monomer.Combinations of these materials may also be employed herein.

The preferred transparent conductive composition optionally includes aflow promoting agent in an amount of about 0.1% to 8%. The flowpromoting agent is more preferably present in an amount of about 3% to5% of the total weight of total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition, and most preferably about 3.5% of the total weight of totalweight of the transparent conductive composition. Suitable flowpromoting agents include Genorad 17, commercially available from RahnRadiation Curing; and Modaflow, commercially available from MonsantoChemical Co., St. Louis, Mo. The preferred flow promoting agent isModaflow which is an ethyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymerthat improves the flow of the composition. Combinations of thesematerials may also be employed herein.

To illustrate, the following example sets forth a presently preferredtransparent conductive composition according to this aspect of theinvention.

EXAMPLE 1

This example provides a preferred transparent conductive compositionaccording to the invention. The transparent conductive composition wasmade from the following components:

Approximate Component Mass % Ebecryl 264 26.7 IBOA 28.3 Irgacure 17005.0 Ebecryl 3603 6.6 Modaflow 3.5 Minatec 30 33.4 Total 100.00

In this example the IBOA and Irgacure 1700 are mixed in a pan with apropeller blade mixer for 30 seconds at a speed of 500 to 1000 rpm. Inthe next step, the Ebecryl 264, the Ebecryl 3603, and Modaflow areintroduced into the pan and mixed for 1 to 2 minutes at a speed of 2000rpm. In the final step, the Minatec 30 is added and mixed at 2000 rpmfor 1 to 2 minutes. The mixing is temporarily suspended if thetemperature exceed 100° F.

EXAMPLE 2

This example provides a preferred transparent conductive compositionaccording to the invention. The transparent conductive composition wasmade from the following components:

Approximate Component Mass % Ebecryl 264 26.7 IBOA 28.3 Irgacure 17005.0 Ebecryl 3603 6.6 Modaflow 3.5 Minatec 40 33.4 Total 100.00

In this example the IBOA and Irgacure 1700 are mixed in a pan with apropeller blade mixer for 30 seconds at a speed of 500 to 1000 rpm. Inthe next step, the Ebecryl 264, the Ebecryl 3603, and Modaflow areintroduced into the pan and mixed for 1 to 2 minutes at a speed of 2000rpm. In the final step, the Minatec 40 is added and mixed at 2000 rpmfor 1 to 2 minutes. The mixing is temporarily suspended if thetemperature exceed 100° F.

Method for Depositing a Transparent Conductive Coating

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for depositing an transparent conductive coating on a suitablesubstrate. The method comprises a first step of applying a transparentconductive fluid-phase composition (“transparent conductivecomposition”) to the substrate.

The transparent conductive composition comprises a mixture of one ormore aliphatic acrylated oligomers, an electrically conductive powder,and a photoinitiator. Preferably, the aliphatic acrylated oligomer ispresent in an amount of about 10% to 40% of the total weight of thetransparent conductive composition, the electrically conductive powderis present in an amount of about 20% to 50% of the total weight of thetransparent conductive composition, and the photoinitiator is present inan amount of about 2% to 10% of the total weight of the transparentconductive composition. The transparent conductive compositionpreferably further comprises an acrylated epoxy oligomer in an amount ofabout 3% to 11% of the total weight of the transparent conductivecomposition, an isobornyl acrylate monomer in an amount of about 10% to40% of the total weight of the transparent conductive composition, and aflow promoting agent in an amount of about 0.1% to 8% of the totalweight of the transparent conductive composition. The preferredtransparent conductive compositions according to this method are thosedescribed herein, for example, including the compositions described inexamples 1 and 2.

The transparent conductive composition may be applied to the substrateusing a number of different techniques. The transparent conductivecomposition may be applied, for example, by direct brush application, orit may be sprayed onto the substrate surface. It also may be appliedusing a screen printing technique. In such screen printing technique, a“screen” as the term is used in the screen printing industry is used toregulate the flow of liquid composition onto the substrate surface. Thetransparent conductive composition typically would be applied to thescreen as the latter contacts the substrate. The transparent conductivecomposition flows through the silk screen to the substrate, whereupon itadheres to the substrate at the desired film thickness. Screen printingtechniques suitable for this purpose include known techniques, butwherein the process is adjusted in ways known to persons of ordinaryskill in the art to accommodate the viscosity, flowability, and otherproperties of the liquid-phase composition, the substrate and itssurface properties, etc. Flexographic techniques, for example, usingpinch rollers to contact the transparent conductive composition with arolling substrate, also may be used.

The method includes a second step of illuminating the transparentconductive fluid-phase composition on the substrate with an ultravioletlight to cause the transparent conductive fluid-phase composition tocure into the transparent conductive coating. This illumination may becarried out in any number of ways, provided the ultraviolet light orradiation impinges upon the transparent conductive composition so thatthe transparent conductive composition is caused to polymerize to formthe coating, layer, film, etc., and thereby cures.

Curing preferably takes place by free radical polymerization, which isinitiated by an ultraviolet radiation source. The photoinitiatorpreferably comprises a photoinitiator, as described above.

Various ultraviolet light sources may be used, depending on theapplication. Preferred ultraviolet radiation sources for a number ofapplications include known ultraviolet lighting equipment with energyintensity settings of, for example, 125 watts, 200 watts, and 300 wattsper square inch.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photocurable transparent conductive compositioncomprising: at least one aliphatic acrylated oligomer selected from analiphatic urethane diacrylate or aliphatic urethane triacrylate; anacrylated epoxy oligomer; an isobornyl acrylate monomer; an electricallyconductive powder present in an amount from 20% to 50% of the weight ofthe transparent conductive composition; and a photoinitiator, whereinthe photocurable transparent conductive composition is curable byultraviolet light into a transparent conductive coating.
 2. Thephotocurable transparent conductive composition of claim 1 wherein theelectrically conductive powder a metal powders, a metal oxide powder, ametal nitride powder, or mixtures thereof.
 3. The photocurabletransparent conductive composition of claim 1 further comprising a flowpromoting agent.
 4. The photocurable transparent conductive compositionof claim 3 wherein: the aliphatic acrylated oligomer is 10% to 40% ofthe weight of the transparent conductive composition; the acrylatedepoxy oligomer is 3% to 11% of the weight of the transparent conductivecomposition; the isobornyl acrylate monomer is 10% to 40% of the weightof the transparent conductive composition; the photoinitiator is 2% to10% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; and theflow promoting agent is 0.1% to 8% of the weight of the transparentconductive composition.
 5. The photocurable transparent conductivecomposition of claim 3 wherein: the aliphatic acrylated oligomer is 20%to 30% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; theacrylated epoxy oligomer is 5% to 9% of the weight of the transparentconductive composition; the isobornyl acrylate monomer is 20% to 35% ofthe weight of the transparent conductive composition; the photoinitiatoris 4% to 6% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; theflow promoting agent is 3% to 5% of the weight of the transparentconductive composition; and the electrically conductive powder is 30% to40% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition.
 6. Thephotocurable transparent conductive composition of claim 3 wherein: thealiphatic acrylated oligomer is 27% of the weight of the transparentconductive composition; the acrylated epoxy oligomer is 7% of the weightof the transparent conductive composition; the isobornyl acrylatemonomer is 28% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition;the photoinitiator is 5% of the weight of the transparent conductivecomposition; the flow promoting agent is 3.5% of the weight of thetransparent conductive composition; and the electrically conductivepowder is 33% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition.7. The transparent conductive composition of claim 1 wherein theisobornyl acrylate monomer is selected from the group consisting ofisobornyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
 8. Thetransparent conductive composition of claim 1 wherein the photoinitiatoris selected from the group consisting of: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenylketone; 2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholino propan-1-one; thecombination of 50% 1-hydroxy cyclohexyl phenyl ketone and 50%benzophenone; 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one; the combination of25% bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl-2,4-, 4-trimethyl pentyl phosphine oxideand 75% 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one;2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propane; the combination of 50%2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenyl-phosphine oxide and 50% 2-hydroxy2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one; mixed triaryl sulfoniumhexafluoroantimonate salts, mixed triaryl sulfonium hexafluorophosphatesalts; and mixtures thereof.
 9. The transparent conductive compositionof claim 1 wherein the acrylated epoxy oligomer is selected from thegroup consisting of: novolac epoxy acrylate diluted 20% by weight withtripropylene glycol diacrylate; difunctional bisphenol based epoxyacrylate; and mixtures thereof.
 10. A method for coating a substratewith a photocurable transparent conductive composition, the methodcomprising: applying a transparent conductive composition to thesubstrate, wherein the transparent conductive composition includes: analiphatic acrylated oligomer selected from an aliphatic urethanediacrylate or aliphatic urethane triacrylate present in an amount from10% to 40% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; anacrylated epoxy oligomer present in an amount from 3% to 11% of theweight of the transparent conductive composition; an isobornyl acrylatemonomer present in an amount from 10% to 40% of the weight of thetransparent conductive composition; a photoinitiator present in anamount from 2% to 10% of the weight of the transparent conductivecomposition; a flow promoting agent present in an amount from 0.1% to 8%of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; and anelectrically conductive powder present in an amount from 20% to 50% ofthe weight of the transparent conductive composition and illuminatingthe transparent conductive composition with an UV light sufficient tocause the transparent conductive composition to cure into a transparentconductive coating.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein UV light used inilluminating impinges upon the transparent conductive composition sothat the transparent conductive composition is caused to form a coatingas it cures.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method of applyingthe transparent conductive composition is spraying.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the method of applying the transparent conductivecomposition is screen printing.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein themethod of applying the transparent conductive composition is dipping thesubstrate into the composition sufficiently to cause the composition touniformly coat the substrate.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein themethod of applying the transparent conductive composition is brushing.16. The method of claim 10, wherein the method of applying thetransparent conductive composition is selectively depositing to thesubstrate at predetermined locations.
 17. A method for coating asubstrate with a photocurable transparent conductive composition, themethod comprising: applying a transparent conductive composition to thesubstrate, wherein the transparent conductive composition includes: analiphatic acrylated oligomer selected from an aliphatic urethanediacrylate or aliphatic urethane triacrylate present in an amount from20% to 30% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; anacrylated epoxy oligomer present in an amount from 5% to 9% of theweight of the transparent conductive composition; an isobornyl acrylatemonomer present in an amount from 20% to 35% of the weight of thetransparent conductive composition; a photoinitiator present in anamount from 4% to 6% of the weight of the transparent conductivecomposition; a flow promoting agent present in an amount from 3% to 5%of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; and anelectrically conductive powder present in an amount from 30% to 40% ofthe weight of the transparent conductive composition; and illuminatingthe transparent conductive composition with an UV light sufficient tocause the transparent conductive composition to be incorporated into thetransparent conductive coating by the time the composition is cured. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein: the aliphatic acrylated oligomer is 27%of the weight of the transparent conductive composition; the acrylatedepoxy oligomer is 7% of the weight of the transparent conductivecomposition; the isobornyl acrylate monomer is 28% of the weight of thetransparent conductive composition; the photoinitiator is 5% of theweight of the transparent conductive composition; the flow promotingagent is 3.5% of the weight of the transparent conductive composition;and the electrically conductive powder is 33% of the weight of thetransparent conductive composition.
 19. A method of making aphotocurable transparent conductive composition comprising: mixing anisobornyl acrylate monomer and a photoinitiator in a pan; introducing analiphatic acrylated oligomer, a flow promoting agent and an acrylatedepoxy oligomer into the pan; mixing the aliphatic acrylated oligomer,the flow promoting agent, and the acrylated epoxy oligomer in the pan;introducing the electrically conductive powder into the pan; and mixingthe electrically conductive powder in the pan.
 20. A photocurabletransparent conductive composition comprising: at least one aliphaticacrylated oligomer selected from an aliphatic urethane diacrylate oraliphatic urethane triacrylate; an acrylated epoxy oligomer; anisobornyl acrylate monomer present in an amount from 20% to 35% of theweight of the transparent conductive composition; an electricallyconductive powder present in an amount from 20% to 50% of the weight ofthe transparent conductive composition; and a photoinitiator.